The Importance of Lower Chakras

Article by Ashwita Goel, Reiki Master

Whenever we hear people talk about spirituality or spiritual growth, the upper chakras inevitably find a mention. A large crown chakra and a partially open third eye cause considerable excitement in many circles.

Almost all spiritual paths and techniques I have come across, also place quite an importance on the upper chakras. As a result, I’ve observed many people on the path lose interest in the ‘mundane’ aspects of life, often even in family matters or jobs, lose the ability to connect with normal people -especially those perceived as negative, and go hunting for a divine purpose, not realising that they are already living it. This is a normal, obvious consequence of a chakra imbalance. So does that mean that the spiritual paths are wrong? Maybe not.

We have to remember that most of the spiritual systems were brought into place in another world – even Reiki. When these systems were created, most people were naturally well grounded. Forests were much denser and wider than they are today. People had less mechanical intervention in daily life, and many more grounding chores. People were more focused on survival, on enjoying the small pleasures of life, and on achieving their personal goals. There were many more trees then than there are now, and people had the support of the earth.

It is a different story today.

The last 30 years or so have given us countless activities that disconnect us from the earth. Every time we take a flight, our connection with the earth is broken. Ditto for every other form of travel, just less in degrees. When we watch television, play a video game or surf the internet, our connection with the earth is broken. And when we eat junk food. In addition to all of this, many people don’t come near a forest or a park in months.

Imagine a tall building with barely any foundation. It is anybody’s guess how long it will be able to stand straight without collapsing, and will probably sway with every gust of wind. The higher the building, the sooner it will collapse. And this is exactly what is happening today, energetically.

This is why, a deep focus is required on the lower chakras. When people develop psychic abilities without a strong foundation, it exposes them to attacks and makes them sensitive to the negative influences of others. Then, where as true spirituality makes one more open and loving, they now find themselves running away from the ‘energy vampires’ and the like.

The attunements that Mikao Usui used were primarily on the upper chakras. I always wondered why, since I met more people with lower chakra problems than upper chakra issues. Now I know. Because in those days, the lower three were already active. Today, these are the most damaged chakras, holding the most amount of pain. As a teacher, I now work with all chakras when I attune my students, instead of just four, and I’ve found it to significantly improve grounding.

As a healer too, it is possible to improve grounding. Slow exercises without rapid movements are very good for the root. I’ve also found that healing the chakras in the reverse order – i.e. starting from the feet and going up to the crown, improves grounding. Healing the back chakras are also very important. Eating root vegetables, spending time doing the chores around the house, and gardening are also great ways to ground oneself, apart from spending time in nature.

Remember, when the root and the crown come into balance, they open up the heart, immersing one in infinite love. And what is life, what is God, if not love itself?

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Having learned Meditation as a child, Ashwita incorporated Reiki into her life during her early teens. After a decade of witnessing the magic Reiki, she felt compelled to take up Reiki professionally, and ended her corporate career in 2007, taking up Reiki full-time. She eventually incorporated EFT, hypnotherapy and past life therapy into her work. Apart from her healing work, she teaches Reiki and meditation, and her book ‘Healing Through Reiki’ is available on Amazon. She holds regular full moon and new moon meditations at @AshwitaGoel. Her website is www.reiki-bangalore.com and her blog www.ashwita.com